A Joliet attorney representing men suing priests and the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Joliet for alleged sexual abuse wants two depositions that
Bishop Joseph Imesch gave in the 1990s about priests accused of abusing
minors made public.

Michael Bolos filed a court motion earlier this week in Will County on
behalf of Christopher Fehrenbacher, [Redacted], David Mortell and another
man, identified only as John Doe. Judge Gerald Kinney is scheduled to
hear arguments on the motion on Wednesday, Bolos said.

Fehrenbacher alleged in a 2004 lawsuit that he was molested about 25 years
ago by Rev. Larry Mullins at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. "John
Doe" claimed in a suit also filed in 2004 that Rev. Jeffrey Salwach
abused him in the 1970s at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox.

[Redacted] and Mortell filed suits earlier this month alleging that Michael
Gibbney, a former priest, molested them about 25 years ago in separate
incidents at parishes in Bolingbrook and Elmhurst.

Bolos' motion asks that the court make public depositions that Imesch
gave as part of suits against two other former priests, Larry Gibbs and
Myles White. The depositions, which could provide further insight into
how the diocese handled allegations of priest sexual abuse, have been
shielded from the public under a protective order.

Earlier this month, a DuPage County judge ruled that another deposition
Imesch gave be made public. That case focuses on a former priest accused
of abusing a boy in the 1960s at a parish in Lombard.

"The diocese respects the legal process. It is preparing its response,"
said diocesan spokesman Thomas Kerber of Bolos' motion. "Our response
will be fully vetted in the appropriate venue," he added.

In the DuPage case, the diocese objected to having Imesch's deposition
and related documents made public, contending that unsealing them violated
the privacy of individuals, including alleged victims.